C'tuma

The People

The people of C’tuma live in small animal-named tribes in the jungle. Most of these tribes live on land they’ve lived on for generations, with an ancestral home that is important to them, one they will treat with respect and care. They are both respectful and fearful of the natural terrain around them, seeking to live in harmony with it- but understanding the dangers it poses. 

There is a healthy respect between the people and between the tribes, it is rare to see them at war with one another, they all respect the land and the claim that each tribe has over their ancestral lands. In the rare times where conflict does occur it is swift and brutal, and once settled the debt is done. Animosities rarely linger long here. 

The people of C’tuma value caution, but not in excess and not to any extent that would prevent them living a full life. They know the value of not underestimating things or taking things at face value. The prettiest flower can be lovely or deadly, the hidden snake can be harmless or venomous. Their philosophy is to always approach things with an open mind and a healthy dose of both curiosity and caution. 

They are also resourceful, using what the land has and what it gives them. The forest around them is bountiful and they never lack for basics, but their true talent is in making something new out of those basic components. 

They were originally mistrustful of outsiders as many have previously sought to conquer and claim their lands, but that mistrust has been replaced with the same cautious curiosity they apply to everything else. This is helped by the presence of land guardians, in the form of giant sentient shapeshifting lizards who occupy hives in the heart of the jungle- a place the locals avoid- and protect the lands of C’tuma from insurgencies. 

Popular Clothing 

The people of C’tuma dress for the environment they’re in, with earthy tones, greens and browns used to blend into the trees, mixed with bright jewel tones to mimic the deadly creatures and beautiful plant life around them. 

Clothes are the first layer of protection against not just the weather but also the flora and fauna of the jungle, so garments are usually tight fitting to avoid snags and made of thick, protective materials to prevent insects or creatures from being able to bite through them. Most people in C’tuma choose to cover as much skin as possible, not for modesty reasons but for practicality. 

Hoods are common, as the climate is often wet and they also help protect from creatures falling from the trees overhead. These hoods are usually short and not attached to coats or cloaks. Cloaks are rarely worn here, due to both the warm climate and also the chance of getting caught on trees and bushes. 

Furs and hides of animals are most often used in clothing and armour. Sometimes for a purpose, like protection, other times simply as trim or for fashion.

Culture and Customs 

Local customs tend to differ between tribes and each tribe will have their own celebrations and milestones, much like they all have different reasons for their names. Though each tribe is named after an animal the reason for the name could be different for each. It will have significance within the tribe, but for any number of reasons- it could be that a chief was born in front of the animal, or the animal is common in the area the tribe live, or that the animal was responsible for the death of one of the tribe’s enemies. 

The animal symbol of a tribe is considered valuable and sacred- this doesn’t mean the tribe won’t kill it if necessary, if it’s a threat- but they will do so with more ceremony and reverence. 

There are no national holidays in C’tuma, each tribe celebrates a day once a year dedicated to their animal symbol, but this can change yearly, is different between each clan and celebrations are also different. Other common celebrations within the tribes include members reaching milestones or doing something great and worthy of lauding. 

They have a culture of learning, not through books or academia, but by doing and experiencing. They are practical, curious people who focus their learning on survival. They don’t see learning to survive as a chore, but as a joy. In learning to live longer they will have longer to enjoy their life. 

Every year there is a ceremonial changing of the guard, where the clan responsible for protecting the Citadel of the Sun steps down and is replaced by the next clan in the rotation. The returning tribe will then have a ceremonial cleansing of their village, so that it is ready for them to move back into. 

History

C’tuma has a long history of mostly keeping to itself. The land inside the borders is deadly, hard to breach and has, in the past, been notoriously mistrustful of outsiders crossing into it. The people who live there have their own histories, regarding their ancient, ancestral lands and the things their clans have done but they’re not readily shared. 

In modern history, they were claimed by Noria in 1107AC and a tribe was found to be attempting to summon something they referred to as a ‘God’ which was actually a large shamanic snake spirit. The AAG intervened. Less than a year later the Norian claim on the land was relinquished. 

In 1115AC, there was an archaelogical dig in C’tuma and once again the AAG were asked to assist. Unfortunately the AAG were tricked into opening a huge void gate and unleashing a horde of undead into C’tuma. It was discovered that this had been plotted by a rogue group of Click-clicks who had started worshipping a Void Drake and wanted it to be free. The AAG put the mishap to rights, defeated the Void Drake and closed the Void Gate. C’tuman shamans worked hard to cleanse the land and return it to how it was before. 

During the Demon War of 1117AC the leader of Clan Treefrog made a deal to protect C’tuma from Eblis by being infused with demonic power and almost becoming a demon themselves. They became the first Emperor of C’tuma, using their powers to protect the nation and keeping it safe from the chaos the rest of the world suffered. However, once the war is over the C’tuman people declared they didn’t want to be ruled by one person and went back to the old system. The Emperor stepped down in 1119AC, but leaves a legacy of the clans uniting in times of great need. The tribes go back to ruling themselves but create a council of tribe leaders who agree to meet in the Citadel of the Sun in times of great need. 

In 1125AC Noria invade again, putting the Click-clicks to sleep using alchemical warfare and taking the Citadel of the Sun for themselves. The Click-clicks are awoken through the efforts of the AAG and the Norian army are ejected from C’tuma. After the war, C’tuma is given a small piece of land in reparations.

Leadership

The leadership of each tribe is left to each tribe, their rules of succession are different. It could be voting, it could be hereditary, it could be honourable combat or anything else that lets them decide who the new leader should be. 

These leaders make up a council who are treatied to meet in the Citadel of the Sun in times of great need, but mostly keep to themselves outside of that time. Disputes are settled internally within clans where possible and the council is only reached out to if absolutely necessary. 

Each year one clan leaves their ancestral lands and takes up residence in the Citadel of the Sun, in order to protect it. Though the citadel has permanent residents, these are rare. The clans all take turns protecting the Citadel and, in turn, the only trade route. 

The center of the land is considered to be off-limits to its people as it is where the click-clicks live. The tribes have an arrangement with the click-clicks wherein they will stay out of the heart of the jungle and the click-clicks will stay out of their lands, but will also help protect the entire country when needed.

Religious Beliefs 

All Gods are acknowledged and worshipped within C’tuma, though not necessarily by everyone. There is a standout population who worship Arioch, Sea God and Vengeance due to the influence of various members of the AAG. Waarheid has gained a following here due to the people’s value of knowledge and learning. 

Some people worship Spirits of the Land instead, choosing to place their faith in the land they live on instead of the Gods. There is also a small subset that revere the animals the tribes are named for. But overall there is a healthy mix of God Worship and Spirit Worship.